In a week dominated by decidedly negative headlines, the Great Bend Bombers 13U (13 and under) baseball team provided a little light to the community, giving up time on their spring break for a community service project at the Veterans Park baseball fields.
Great Bend Recreation Commission Assistant Superintendent Chris Umphres, who is also boys’ head coach, said they volunteered their time Wednesday to help replace the yellow outfield fence caps. The materials had been ordered about a month ago for this joint project between GBRC and the City of Great Bend.
“The fence cap replacement was a needed at this site because of the age of the existing fence cap. The existing cap has been on for over 10 years and the color has faded and started to crack in areas,” Umphres said.
With the weather being nice, the city and GBRC decided to undertake the installation of the fences this past week, and the timing worked out for the team to be able to help.
“Spring break was this week, and the boys wanted to do a project at some of the ball fields that they practice and play at. They take pride in the facilities and saw a need,” Umphres said.
Bombers baseball is made of eight different teams ranging in age from 8U (eight and under) to 13U (13 and under). Given the nature of the work, Umphres expressed pride in the older group.
“I am very proud of these young men. They showed that they can work together on and off the field, ” Umphres said. “They’re trying to set the example for the younger groups.”
Umphres said having the extra help was crucial. The plastic yellow caps that adorn the outfield fences typically come in long rolls, so having a lot of extra hands to hold the caps in place during the installation process shortens the time it takes to install it on the fence.
“The more hands the better. It makes it a whole lot easier,” he said.
It was also an ideal project for the older boys to work on, he said, because the height of the fences necessitates having the taller kids work on it.
As their coach, Umphres said he felt the project taught his team several important lessons about working together as a team doing difficult work. The camaraderie of bringing a group together and seeing what they can accomplish is important, he said.
“It was pretty hard work for them,” Umphres said. “The joy of seeing a project completed was really good for them.”
The Great Bend Bombers baseball teams are scheduled to begin playing tournaments from the end of March through the end of July.
